I, Who Was Criticized as the World's Weakest S-Rank Explorer, Am Actually the World's Strongest Explorer - Episode 49

Episode 49

(Note: Special for this chapter, dialogues from the internet and TV are in 『….』. And dialogues through the telephone are in ‘….’)

(Back to MC’s Perspective)

The sound of the television echoed throughout the house. The same media outlets and commentators that had endlessly criticized me were now bowing their heads one after another. 

『Our previous reporting on Haruto Amakusa contained inaccuracies and caused significant inconvenience. We deeply apologize for this…….』 

They repeated their apologies over and over. 

Those who apologized were at least better than others. 

Far worse were the ones who never offered an apology. They instead pretended their past reports never existed while suddenly praising my accomplishments. 

Still, I don’t think the core issue has been resolved. 

Television networks don’t have their top executives apologize. It’s usually the announcers or lower-level staff who are made to apologize. Or sometimes a few scapegoats get fired. In rare cases, someone in a higher position resigns. But I’ve heard they often get rehired elsewhere in a similar role. 

The rot runs too deep. Honestly, I just don’t want to deal with them anymore. 

Among all these media outlets, Honma Television irritates me the most. 

For some reason, Honma TV has always seemed to have a close relationship with the Explorer Association. When it came to reporting on me, they went above and beyond. They were overhyping everything. 

Now, however, they barely mention the Association’s blunders or their role in vilifying me. They instead focus on unrelated news. 

I suppose this is what they call “freedom of the press”. 

For now, I’ll let the angry folks on the internet vent their frustrations at them. It won’t really change anything, but at least it soothes my own irritation. 

As for the Explorer Association……… they seem even more corrupt than I thought. 

According to Kirishima-san, the headquarters has been holding daily meetings to decide who they can pin the blame on. 

The result? Simple. 

They’ve opted to scapegoat someone to deflect criticism from the Association. 

『This was a decision made unilaterally by certain staff members, and we at the Association were unaware of the full details of the 101st-floor report.』 

『The former president at the time—』 

『I have no recollection of that, so I cannot comment.』 

These were just some of the statements made at a press conference held at the Association’s headquarters. 

The president and directors spoke with an air of detachment, as though they bore no responsibility at all. 

Their hollow remarks naturally failed to convince anyone. 

『The decision to dismiss the 101st-floor report as false was based on the data available at the time. It was resulted from the unilateral actions of certain staff members,』 

The president said, his face stern as he addressed the microphone. 

They were determined to frame it as a mistake by “a few rogue staff members”, rather than taking accountability for the Association as a whole. 

『What about the Association’s oversight responsibilities for these staff members?』 

『How do you justify refusing Kiryu-san’s request for a follow-up investigation?』

The media pressed them with questions, but the Association’s responses were evasive: 

『We are currently investigating Kiryu-san’s whistleblower video. Please wait for detailed results.』 

Their answers were nothing but attempts to stall and obscure the issue. 

Despite the public outcry, the Association seemed intent on dragging this out and deflecting responsibility. 

『The Explorers’ Association plans to revise its assessment of Haruto Amakusa and reinstate him as an S-rank Explorer.』 

『Even though the Association initially judged him unfit for S-rank?』 

『Yes, that’s correct.』 

As expected, the backlash from social media and independent journalists unaffected by pressure was immense. 

『You demoted him because of your own poor judgment, and now you’re trying to save face? How shameless can you be?』 

Honestly, I couldn’t help but cheer them on. Go ahead, tear into them. While these folks can be a pain when they’re against you, they’re not too bad when they’re on your side. All I hope is they don’t go overboard. 

Sure, I’ve got some personal grudges in all this, but the Association’s current system is fundamentally flawed. 

If things keep going the way they are, Japan’s Explorer Association is bound to collapse in the near future. 

I hope this serves as a turning point for meaningful changes. But somehow, I doubt they’ll come up with anything worthwhile. 

With that thought lingering in my mind, I browsed through the online world. I was venting some of the pent-up frustrations that had built up from everything I’d been through. 

The voices criticizing me had significantly died down by now. 

Of course, it wasn’t like they’d vanished entirely. But it was definitely an improvement. 

…….…Though, when I look through the past posts of some of these accounts, I still see all the harsh comments they made about me. Which leaves me with mixed feelings. For now, though, I’ll let it slide. 

Oh, and I’m not the only one enjoying this shift. 

Kirishima-san, too, seems to be taking pleasure in it. She mentioned how people in the Association’s branch office used to talk down to her constantly. But now, nobody dares to. Serves them right. 

Oops. I might have grown a little petty with all the resentment I’ve built up. *Ahem.* 

Anyway, I finally have the leisure to observe how the world is changing. 

My eyes fell on a document that had been delivered to my house, titled “Regarding Reinstatement as an S-Rank Explorer”. 

The sheer audacity of the Association deserves some praise, at least. 

I did take a look inside. But ultimately, I tore it to shreds. 

I have no intention of going back now. 

The letter essentially said something like, “The current regulations were set by the higher-ups, so they can’t be changed right away. Please submit your S-rank reapplication soon.” 

From the Association’s perspective, reinstating me as an S-Rank Explorer would probably play well with the public. After all, it’d look pretty bad to ask someone they once ousted to return without giving them some kind of “promotion”. 

But I know exactly what being S-rank entails—dealing with absurd expectations and unreasonable demands. I’ve had enough of that nonsense. 

For example, I wouldn’t want to be dragged into something like the Akasaki City incident again. 

Or, like Kiryu-san, be forced to go dungeon-diving every single day. 

As long as I’m not S-rank, I won’t have to put up with those kinds of demands from the Association. 

Explorers below S-rank have much more freedom in how they work. 

As I was thinking about all this, my phone vibrated. 

I glanced at the screen, which displayed the words “Public Relations Director, Explorer Association.” 

……..Yeah, I had all the department heads from the Explorer Association Headquarters saved in my phone. They’d explained that it was for contacting S-Rank Explorers during emergencies. 

Frowning, I picked up my phone and hit the call button. 

“…Hello?” 

‘Ah! Is this Haruto Amakusa’s phone number?’ 

A cutesy, overly sweet voice came through the speaker. It was slightly high-pitched, with a theatrical, almost fake tone to it. 

“Yes, it is.” 

‘Oh, wonderful! I’m Kana Aizawa, the Public Relations Director.’ 

Ugh.